Analysis
NAICS 237990 is the 2022 national industry for other heavy and civil engineering construction, part of 23799 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction). Census lists 77 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 4,806 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 84,360 people at an average annual payroll of $95,317 per employee (81st percentile of national industries). 52% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 8 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 237110, 237120, 237130 and 2211. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 12% and employment rose 22%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include anchored earth retention contractors, athletic field (except stadium) construction, avalanche, rockslide, mudslide, or roadside protection… and breakwater construction, among 77 in all.
For example, constructing water mains, sewers, and related structures are classified in 237110 (Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in heavy and civil engineering construction projects (excluding highway, street, bridge, and distribution line construction). The work performed may include new work, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and repairs. Specialty trade contractors are included in this industry if they are engaged in activities primarily related to heavy and civil engineering construction projects (excluding highway, street, bridge, distribution line, oil and gas structure, and utilities building and structure construction). Construction projects involving water resources (e.g., dredging and land drainage), development of marine facilities, and projects involving open space improvement (e.g., parks and trails) are included in this industry.
Illustrative Examples:
Channel construction Land drainage contractors Dam construction Marine construction Dock construction Microtunneling contractors Dredging (e.g., canal, channel, ditch, waterway) Nuclear waste disposal site construction Earth retention system construction Flood control project construction Park ground and recreational open space improvement construction Railroad construction Golf course construction Subway construction Horizontal drilling (e.g., cable, pipeline, sewer installation) Trenching, underwater Hydroelectric generating station construction Tunnel construction
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Constructing water mains, sewers, and related structures | 237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction |
| Constructing oil and gas pipelines and related structures | 237120 Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction |
| Constructing power and communication transmission lines and related structures | 237130 Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction |
| Installing and maintaining electric power lines and towers performed by electric utility companies | 2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution |
| Installing and maintaining communication transmission lines and towers performed by telecommunications companies | 517 Telecommunications |
| Constructing highways, streets, and bridges | 237310 Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction |
| Trenching (except underwater) or removing dams, dikes, and other heavy and civil engineering constructions | 238910 Site Preparation Contractors |
| Inspecting pipelines (i.e., visual) | 541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
Index entries (77)
- Anchored earth retention contractors
- Athletic field (except stadium) construction
- Avalanche, rockslide, mudslide, or roadside protection construction
- Breakwater construction
- Bridle path construction
- Bulkhead wall or embankment construction
- Caisson (i.e., marine or pneumatic structures) construction
- Canal construction
- Channel construction
- Cofferdam construction
- Construction management, dam
- Construction management, marine structure
- Construction management, mass transit
- Construction management, outdoor recreation facility
- Construction management, tunnel
- Cribbing (i.e., shore protection), construction
- Dam construction
- Dike and other flood control structure construction
- Dock construction
- Drainage canal and ditch construction
- Drainage project construction
- Dredging (e.g., canal, channel, ditch, waterway)
- Drive-in movie facility construction
- Earth retention system construction
- Earth-filled dam construction
- Electricity generating plant, hydroelectric, construction
- Embankment construction
- Farm drainage tile installation
- Flood control project construction
- Floodway canal and ditch construction
- Gabion construction
- Golf course construction
- Harbor construction
- Helical pier (i.e., marine or pneumatic structures) construction
- Horizontal drilling (e.g., underground cable, pipeline, sewer installation)
- Hydroelectric generating facility construction
- Ice rink (except indoor) construction
- Jetty construction
- Land drainage contractors
- Levee construction